Backpacks, ranked by PFAS safety
15 products graded from Bad to Excellent, safest first. None grade Good or better yet, so we show the full ranking and the least-concerning options first.
Start here
The best non-toxic backpacks, ranked safest first
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
The North Face
Jester Luxe Backpack
Nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
PFAS
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fibers
Limited concern
Stop until The North Face reveals its water-repellent coating chemistry; standard coatings often contain PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
The North Face
Recon Backpack
nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating water-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating degradation and leaching
Limited concern
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from materials and adhesives
Limited concern
PFAS
Limited concern
Lower concern than older water-repellent coating packs, but The North Face hasn't confirmed PFAS phase-out.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
The North Face
Borealis Mini Backpack
Nylon with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
PFAS
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding
Limited concern
Stop until The North Face reveals its water-repellent coating chemistry; standard nylon backpacks carry PFAS uncertainty.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Black Hole Pack 25L Patagonia
nylon/polyester pack with water-repellent coating
water-repellent coating chemical identity and leaching
Limited concern
Microfiber shedding during use or washing
Limited concern
Patagonia's PFAS transparency is insufficient; typical durable packs use water-repellent coating of unknown chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Refugio Day Pack 30L
Nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
PFAS
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Lower concern, but Patagonia's water-repellent coating treatment details remain undisclosed; ask them directly.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Fjällräven
Fjallraven Kanken Backpack
Vinylon (polyvinyl chloride-based synthetic fiber) fabric with wax-based water repellent
PVC polymer stability and degradation
Limited concern
Wax-based water-repellent coating formulation opacity
Limited concern
Contact Fjällräven directly if PFAS-free status matters to your purchase decision.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Fjällräven
Fjallraven Skule Backpack
G-1000 HD fabric (polyester/cotton blend) with water-repellent coating water-repellent treatment
PFAS
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fibers
Limited concern
Moderate PFAS concern due to water-repellent coating treatment with no public disclosure; seek lower-risk alternatives if PFAS-free verification is important.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Fjällräven
Fjallraven Raven 20 Backpack
G-1000 fabric (65% polyester, 35% cotton); waxed cotton-poly blend with silent water-repellent coating finish
water-repellent coating chemical composition
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding during wear
Limited concern
Contact Fjällräven directly about water-repellent coating treatment if avoiding PFAS is your priority.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Arc'teryx
Konseal 15 Backpack
Nylon ripstop with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
PFAS
Limited concern
Contact Arc'teryx directly if PFAS content is a deciding factor before purchasing.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Arc'teryx
Aerio 35 Backpack
Nylon/polyester ripstop with water-repellent coating (unspecified)
water-repellent coating degradation and chemical release
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from ripstop fabric
Limited concern
Moderate uncertainty with no public PFAS transparency; consider caution if PFAS sensitivity matters.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Arc'teryx
Aerios 18 Backpack
Nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
PFAS
Limited concern
Arc'teryx provides no public PFAS transparency despite known water-repellent coating treatment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Arc'teryx
Mantis 26 Backpack
Nylon 6.6 with water-repellent coating (type unspecified)
PFAS
High concern
Nylon degradation and microfiber shedding
Limited concern
VOC off-gassing from adhesives or coatings
Limited concern
Moderate PFAS concern; durable waterproof backpacks typically use fluorochemical water-repellent coating treatments.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Arc'teryx
Granville 25 Backpack
Nylon with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
PFAS
Limited concern
Arc'teryx does not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry; waterproof backpacks commonly use PFAS-based treatments.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Arc'teryx
Alpha FL 20 Backpack
Nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent treatment (type unspecified)
PFAS
High concern
Nylon degradation and microplastic shedding
Limited concern
VOC off-gassing
Limited concern
Moderate PFAS concern due to water-repellent coating; Arc'teryx does not disclose treatment chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Peak Design
Outdoor Backpack 25L
nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating water-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating degradation and inhalation/skin contact
Limited concern
VOC off-gassing from synthetic materials
Limited concern
Moderate concern as waterproof outdoor gear often uses PFAS, and Peak Design does not disclose treatment chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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